Monument Valley

Monument Valley. The iconic image of the American West made famous by Director John Ford directing John Wayne. Monument Valley, meaning valley of the rocks is located on the Utah-Arizona border. Monument Valley is officially a large area that includes much of the area surrounding Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a Navajo Nation equivalent to a national park. The valley was hot, dusty and amazingly beautiful. I was honored to take a tour with a local Navajo guide. We went to places only allowed when traveling with a Navajo. It was a spiritual experience to be with them, my guide and his younger brother. They were so nice and humble and both had a great sense of humor. It was incredible to hear the stories about their life living in the valley. They have no running water but maybe are better off as they live a simple, peaceful life living off the land. I cant wait to go back and experience the beauty and solitude that I experienced spending my time there with real Native Americans.